Catholic Archbishop Blames Divisions in Nigeria on Ignorance of “God’s Word”

“Even in the Church, some people are armed with their cell phones concentrating on taking pictures or making videos, oblivious of what is going on in the liturgy,” the Nigerian Archbishop said, adding, “We are called to a qualitative listening to God’s word.”

The 65-year-old Archbishop who started his Episcopal Ministry in April 1995 as the Bishop of Nigeria’s Jalingo Diocese said that embracing true love and truth is necessary to foster unity in the country.

He said, “Traditional, civil, religious, and political leaders are called to listen to the voice of love, the voice of truth, the voice of peace, the voice of reason and to resist every tendency to listen to contrasting voices that cause social retardation, fuel hatred, cause the destruction of lives and property.”

Reflecting further on the transfiguration story, Archbishop Kaigama said that the event offers the people of God “a glimpse of the glory of heaven, and to make it there, we need determination, discipline, and focus, and disengaging from worldly distractions and sinful ways.”

“We are assured that in climbing the mountain of life with Jesus we are never left to struggle alone,” he said, and added, “By listening to His words, partaking of the sacraments, and following in His steps, we are sure to reach the top.”

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Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.